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What is Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP)?
Imagine preparing a pizza. You have a recipe that works in both an oven and an air fryer. The core ingredients are the same (like the KMP code), and each appliance has specific settings to get the pizza just right (in our case, iOS and Android). When the pizza is done, it might have slightly different textures, but it’s still the same delicious pizza at its core.
It is the same for Kotlin Multiplatform technology. Using KMP, the app will maintain its core functions across platforms (pizza recipe), but it can be customized to meet iOS and Android users’ expectations, making it feel native and intuitive on each platform (crispier in the air fryer and more precisely baked in the oven). Instead of writing separate code for each platform, developers have a single codebase for shared business logic.
What to choose: KMP or native development?
Kotlin Multiplatform is great for reducing development time since you don’t need a separate developer for Android and another for iOS; one person can write shared logic in Kotlin that will work natively on both platforms. It also reduces development costs since updates and bug fixes need to be made only once and there is no duplication of work.
Native development generally incurs higher costs because it requires separate codebases for Android and iOS. If your application has very specific requirements for platform-specific features and needs to be as precise as possible (such as advanced camera functionalities, certain sensors, etc.), then native development is a good choice.
Which is better, KMP or Flutter?
Kotlin Multiplatform uses Kotlin as a programming language, which means that Android developers can easily implement their knowledge to develop cross-platform applications. On the other hand, Flutter has its own, not quite familiar language, Dart. Flutter is owned by Google, and KMP by JetBrains, but lately, Google announced support for Kotlin Multiplatform due to its big potential and stability.
Both frameworks have their pros and cons, but generally perform well and save you time and money. It can be that if you need an app quickly, it is more feasible to use KMP because Android developers are already familiar with Kotlin, as it is their primary language even when developing native apps.
Is React Native better than Kotlin?
React Native allows developers to write apps using JavaScript and React, rendering components natively for both iOS and Android, which can lead to a more web-like development experience. By allowing the usage of native UI components and letting developers exchange Kotlin code across platforms, KMP, on the other hand, makes it easier to integrate platform-specific features and performance.
Maybe this will help you make a decision: We had an experience with a client who wanted us to translate his app from React Native to Kotlin Multiplatform. His feedback was, “I don’t know what you did, and I can’t tell you the exact difference when using the app, but I can feel it is different.”
How much does it cost to develop an app using KMP?
Many factors impact the cost of developing a mobile app, but we will list here the main ones:
1. App complexity: Basic apps may range from $15,000 to $50,000, while complex apps can exceed $100,000.
2. Development team: Costs can vary based on developers’ proficiency in Kotlin and KMP, the team’s location, whether you hire freelancers or a mobile app development company, etc.
3. Timeframe: Typical timelines for KMP projects can range from 3 to 6 months or longer, depending on the app's complexity. Developers from Aetherius Solutions managed to deliver the app to the client in just one month because the client had a specific request to see the basic features on the screen (login screen, navigation bar). You can read here more about it.
Kotlin Multiplatform services: simple explanations for non-techies
Imagine cross-platform API integration as a universal remote control for TV, gaming console, and sound system. You want to take control of them with just one remote - in our case, this remote is API (Application Programming Interface).
Our developers create an app that works on both Android and iOS devices, and they need API to connect it to various services, like payment systems, social media, or weather data. This way, the app works well on multiple devices without having to build separate connections for each platform, making the process faster and more efficient.
Platform-specific UI/UX design
In order to optimize user satisfaction and engagement, our platform-specific UI/UX design solution in KMP makes sure your app not only functions smoothly but also looks great and feels comfortable for users on both iOS and Android.
As part of our Kotlin Multiplatform services, integrating native features means connecting your app to the unique capabilities of each device, like the camera, GPS, or push notifications, in a way that feels natural for users on both Android and iOS.
Also, adding new features and making updates is easier with KMP since it allows us to share much of the code across platforms.
If you already have a developer team and want to start with Kotlin Multiplatform, our KMP experts are here to educate you! We're also here if you need consultation on setting up a KMP project or if you want to migrate an existing codebase to KMP.
If you take our Kotlin Multiplatform app development services and at any time decide to get back to native, no worries! Our team will continue doing it separately for iOS and Android.
Clients' words
"Aetherius Solutions helped the client improve revenue and customer ratings. The team always provided content on time and took the initiative to solve things really quickly. They also demonstrated flexibility, high motivation, and good team spirit."
"Aetherius Solutions' work achieved the correct functionality, satisfying the client's expectations, and planning to collaborate on a larger project in the future."
"Working with Aetherius solutions was pure pleasure. They helped us bring our iOS MVP application to life while constantly providing valuable ideas on how we can further improve our product"
“We had a specific industry problem and wanted to help people solve it with a unique app. Our first plan was to test the MVP version in a couple of smaller cities in Serbia, but we didn't expect to encounter such positive reactions from users so quickly. Aetherius Solution’s team developed the first version in just 1 month with 0 bugs and issues!”
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"Aetherius Solutions team reassured us with their experience and knowledge that there are still companies that respect agreements. We successfully executed our plans, and the team followed our desires throughout, consistently working on the Salona application."
"We have had a great experience with Aetherius Solutions. Their skilled developers provided us with clear and detailed information, ensuring effective communication throughout the project. I would highly recommend them for any project you might have."
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"I worked with Aetherius Solutions team on an early-stage project. They were great at taking direction and executing a functional prototype of our concepts. Would love to work with his team again."
How good is Kotlin cross-platform?
By eliminating the need for separate teams, you need fewer developers and hours to build your cross-platform app. This leads to savings of approximately 30-50% in development costs compared to the native approach. It is an especially suitable option for startups with limited budgets.
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It is cheaper to maintain a Kotlin Multiplatform app since there is only one business logic code to keep an eye on. All updates, bug fixes, and new features are implemented in one place.
There is no need to write separate code for each platform; the same business logic is used to write a code once and run it both on iOS and Android.
People sometimes worry that Kotlin Multiplatform won’t provide a native experience as traditional native development. There is no need to worry - KMP allows direct access to each platform’s unique features and APIs, so your app’s functionality will be just as responsive as a fully native one.
Our developers can reuse the existing native code where needed, which is even easier if you already have an app written in Kotlin. This transition process is straightforward, allowing you to start by integrating shared logic while keeping your existing platform-specific UI.
Who will build your Kotlin Multiplatform app?
Our experienced Kotlin Multiplatform developers are eager to prove their capabilities, which is why they are fully dedicated to every client.
Once a team starts working on a project, that same team will be your point of contact until the project's end, as we believe it's essential for you to build trust with the person you're working with.
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Our Kotlin Multiplatform projects
FAQ for Kotlin Multiplatform app development
KMP or KMM (Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile) is a framework that enables developers to write a shared code in Kotlin that can be compiled and used across different platforms (iOS, Android, web). Using Kotlin Multiplatform, they share a common business logic and eliminate the need to write separate code for core features on each platform.
What’s the main benefit for you here? You save money and time by reducing the need for a whole developer team to build separate iOS and Android apps! Less developer hours are needed and you can test your MVP faster.
If you’re planning to develop an app yourself or have a development team considering Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP), the answer is a definite yes! Kotlin Multiplatform is a well-established, secure framework created by JetBrains and is supported by Google, making it a reliable choice for cross-platform app development.
In case you need someone to guide you and help with learning KMP/KMM, our developers are here for consulting.
Sure. Developers write core functionality that remains consistent, but UI components are natively adjusted for each platform to ensure the app feels right for iOS and Android users. For example, the “Settings” button is not in the same place in iOS and Android, and using KMP, developers address platform-specific UI differences, like the positioning of buttons.
Kotlin Multiplatform and Flutter both simplify cross-platform app development, but they approach it differently and suit different needs. Flutter has its own set of tools to create the app's appearance, which means that while the app looks consistent everywhere, it might not feel exactly like a typical app on each platform. This can lead to a design that doesn't fully match the native look and feel users expect on Android or iOS.
KMP, on the other hand, is designed to let developers share core business logic while allowing for fully native UI on iOS and Android. This gives your app a truly native experience, plus, if Android developers are already familiar with Kotlin, adopting KMP can make the transition faster and smoother.
So, if your goal is native performance and feel with reduced development time and cost, KMP is a compelling choice for cross-platform development. You can read more here.
React Native and Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP) serve different purposes in mobile app development. **React Native** allows developers to create cross-platform apps using a single codebase in JavaScript, focusing on consistent UI and fast development, but it may not deliver the same native performance. In contrast, KMP enables developers to share business logic written in Kotlin across platforms while maintaining native UI and performance, allowing for a more tailored experience on both Android and iOS.
This means that with KMP, you can have native functionalities, and with React Native, you can have faster development if you have a skilled JavaScript team.
Yes! Netflix has been using KMP in their app built from scratch, Prodicle, which they are making to innovate in the area of physical production of TV shows and movies.
Other big companies like McDonalds and 9gag have also adopted Kotlin Multiplatform for Android and iOS applications. Here you can read more about their way of implementing KMP.
Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile (KMM) was the original name used to refer to the mobile-specific capabilities of Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP). As Kotlin has evolved, the term KMP has become more widely adopted to represent the broader framework that includes support for various platforms, including backend, web, and mobile. KMM is still relevant, but KMP is used to point out full technology capability.
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